Sometimes people present the obvious to us without realizing it. Many people in the community are concerned about Legacy being chosen to build a publicly funded parking ramp DT after their involvement with the Copper Lounge building collapse. Maybe Mr. Drake has a solution;
“I’m not going to address any questions about that site and the events that have taken place,†Drake said. “It’s an ongoing investigation, and until all the facts come out and are determined, we don’t feel like it’s prudent to make additional assumptions at any point there.â€
I agree 100%. And until assumptions are turned into facts or falsehoods, we should hold off determining you are the correct choice for the project. I encourage the city council to hold the brakes on this project until the results of the investigation have been presented, or pick another contractor.
Why such a rush for a parking ramp? There’s no immediate need. The public and the council just heard of this. Wait 15 months until Huether’s gone and there’s been a complete council audit of city finance. It’s strange that this is urgent this close to Huether’s departure. Hasn’t he done enough damage? Where are the funds coming from? How much does it cost? Last week the city didn’t meet sales tax expectations. So many questions. Answer them and let the public vote on this. Time for another ‘Stop the Funding’?
with the kelo piece on the passing of steve metli, they showed how he and craig lloyd were best buddies. do you think this would’ve been a project lloyd would’ve gotten if munson/metli were still in power?
Hmmm. Funny you bring this up. This of course is all rumors from the peanut gallery, but since Mike took office, I guess he has changed his relationships with several developers. He is on the outs with the ‘big guys’ and Legacy was his last game in town.
The mayor should see his shadow. The groundhog did. Instead of 6 weeks, give us 15 months of hibernation. We need the time to inventory the damage and find a real businessman mayor to address the debt. Doesn’t Huether remind you of the gopher with glasses cartoon character?
Rocky and Bullwinkle is the adventures of a flying squirrel and moose in Frostbite Falls, MN. Similar to Huether and Rolfing but Sioux Falls.
How far do the tentacles of Legacy reach?
Les Kinstad, Affordable Housing Manager for Sioux Falls Community Development, is a former partner in Legacy.
Director of Sioux Falls Community Development, Daren Ketcham, was a major player in deciding who would receive this future city project.
Potential Inside Information/Connections ??
http://www.argusleader.com/story/news/2016/12/02/one-dead-one-rescued-downtown-building-collapse/94821244/
[…The owner of the building, Norman Drake, was in Minneapolis on business when he got the call that the building he purchased earlier this year had collapsed. He said he didn’t have any details on what type of work was taking place but was cutting his trip short because of the emergency.
“I don’t know anything. I’m on my way back from Minneapolis now. I’m just praying everyone is OK,†he said. “I have no comment at this point. I gotta take care of people first.†]
The need for a new ramp downtown requires us all to take a huge leap in faith concerning projected parking needs. That need assumes a projected growth of nearly 200,000 square feet of commercial space. It also assumes a projected growth of 1,000,000 square feet of office space. Even if this dream scenario were to come to pass, nearly all of it would be on the east side of the river. So why build it on the west side of the river?
Also, between city owned and private owned off street parking on the west side of the river, there are plenty of parking spots available right now. Building a new ramp will only have present ramp users playing musical chairs. Musical chairs that will come with a huge price tag. This will likely cost taxpayers between 12 to 15 million. For a 500 spot ramp that’s 24k to 30k per spot. There’s only two ways they’ll be able to pay for it. Increasing our taxes through some form of regressive structured taxes like yet another increase in property taxes, and, raising all the downtown parking rates. For most working downtown, raising rates with stagnant wages is not an option. They will find employment elsewhere.
Before the City Council even begins to consider whether to fund this project, they need to drive the streets in their districts.
What happened to MMM’s saying, “It’s all about roads, folks”?
Streets throughout SF are in the worse shape that I have seen them in years!
Used the big ramp across the street one day last week. Exit gate was up on a weekday afternoon! Not the first time. No wonder the parking fund is empty when you can repeatedly park in the ramp for free!
Right? I chuckle at the FREE at nights. BS! I parked my car a weeknight at the Pavilion ramp, I went right before 7 AM in the morning (assuming it would be early enough) to get it (so I wouldn’t be locked in) I had a ticket I had to pay to get out of the lot. The parking ramps should run the same times as the meters.